Disney held an “Open Mouse” today for cast members to get a look at their newest vacation club resort, Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Here are a few pictures of the resort. For more photos and information, buy a copy of our upcoming Summer issue. We’ll have a full story on the new resort and restaurant.
Above is a look at the main building from the walkway behind.

Although the Kidani Village, which opens May 1, is part of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), if there’s space available, anyone can stay there. Stay with me here as I explain how this resort fits in with the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jambo House is the name of the current Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s a regular hotel except for the top two floors, which are part of the DVC. The name Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas refers to the DVC accommodations at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. So, the name Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge now refers to the entire site – Jambo House (hotel and DVC) and Kidani Village. To further complicate things, Kidani Village is just phase one of the new DVC resort. Phase two, Pembe Savanna, will open this fall.

The lobby of Kidani Village.

As you walk to the back of the lobby, you’ll see this view looking out at the savanna, where the animals roam.

One of the many villas that has a view of the savanna.

The entrance area to Sanaa, the restaurant at Kidani Village. Can you see the hidden Mickey?

This is just part of Uwanja Camp, the water play area. The large Samwawati Springs Pool and the Survival of the Fittest Health Club are nearby.

• For more information and photos of Kidani Village and Sanaa, be sure to read the Resort Report and Restaurant Report in the upcoming Summer issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine.

Comedian Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond, 'Til Death) does his best blowfish impression April 1, 2009 alongside two characters from the "Finding Nemo - The Musical" show at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The show is based on the animated Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo." Among the show's featured characters are "Bloat," a blowfish (left), who was voiced by Garrett in the feature film, and Nemo (right). Photo by Gene Duncan